ADULT BLOOD TRANSFUSION

Answers to Some Common Questions

What is a blood transfusion?

A blood transfusion (say: trans-FYOO-shun) is when you are given a blood product. The transfusion helps to
replace the part of blood that is missing.

What are the benefits of getting a transfusion?

Your body must have the right amount of each part of blood to be healthy. Some reasons that a transfusion
may be needed are listed below:
• blood loss as a result of a surgery or medical condition
• a blood disorder
• to support the body through cancer treatment
• to support babies who are born too early

What are blood products?

Blood is made up of different parts. White blood cells help fight infections. Red blood cells give the blood its
red colour and carry oxygen around the body. All organs in the body (especially the heart, brain, and kidneys)
need oxygen to work properly. Platelets are small, sticky cells that help to prevent and/or stop bleeding.
Plasma has many kinds of proteins. Some of these proteins help the blood to clot and to fight infection.
Whole blood is donated by blood donors. The whole blood can be separated into the different parts of blood.
These different parts are called blood products.
Types of blood products
• Red blood cells
• Platelets
• Plasma
• Cryoprecipitate (say: CRY-oh-pre-SIP-a-tate)
Plasma may also be made into different protein products.
These include:
• albumin
• clotting factor concentrates
• immune globulins
You will only receive the specific blood part or parts that you need.

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What are blood groups?
There are different blood types or groups. The most common are the ABO system and the Rhesus (Rh) system.
You will only receive donor blood that matches your blood.

Where does donor blood come from?

Canadian Blood Services (CBS) collects blood from volunteer donors throughout Canada. Some plasma
products may come from screened donors in the United States

Is transfusion safe?
Canada has one of the safest blood supplies in the world. Blood donors are asked many questions about their
health and lifestyle before they give blood. If the donor is found to be unsuitable, the donation will not take
place. After the blood is collected it is tested for the infectious diseases listed below:
• HIV 1 and HIV 2: human immunodeficiency viruses that cause AIDS
• hepatitis B and hepatitis C, which are infections of the liver
• human T-cell lymphotropic (lim″fo-trop´ik) virus type 1 (HTLV-1), which causes a rare form of leukemia
• syphilis, an infection a person can get from sexual contact
Donated blood that does not pass these and many other tests is destroyed.

What are the risks of transfusion?

Like any medical treatment, a blood transfusion has some risks. A common concern is the risk of infection
from transfusion. The chance of getting an infection is very small.
• The chance of getting HIV (AIDS) is less than 1 in 8 million.
• The chance of getting hepatitis C is less than 1 in 6.7 million.
• The chance of getting hepatitis B is less than 1 in 1.7 million.
• There is also a very small chance of getting HTLV-1, West Nile virus and other rare infections.
Note: The more units of blood a person receives, the greater the risk. A transfusion of 10 units increases the
risk 10 times.
Your doctor will only advise you to have a transfusion if it is absolutely necessary.

Transfusion Reactions
Some patients have reactions to blood transfusions.
Most reactions occur during or shortly after the transfusion. You will be closely monitored for signs of a
reaction during and after the transfusion. You may receive medication to relieve symptoms of a reaction.
You will be given information on transfusion reactions and what to do if you have a transfusion reaction after
you leave the hospital. Please let your doctor know if you think you have had a transfusion reaction in the
past.

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Allergic reactions are common and usually mild. You may have a rash/hives and itching. The transfusion will
be stopped and you will be given medication and if the rash and itching go away the transfusion may be
restarted.
Serious allergic reactions are very rare and may cause breathing problems or swelling to lips or eyes as well as
a rash and itching. The transfusion will be stopped.
Febrile (fever) reactions are common especially for patients who have many transfusions. You may feel hot or
have chills (feel cold). The transfusion will be stopped.
Hemolytic reactions are very rare but serious reactions. This happens when red blood cells break up after
transfusion. You may feel feverish or have chills and may feel sick or vomit. The transfusion will be stopped.
Transfusion-Associated Circulatory Overload and Transfusion Related Acute Lung Injury are serious reactions
that cause problems with breathing. The transfusion will be stopped.
Transfusion Associated Graft Versus Host Disease (TA-GVHD) is a very serious and rare complication of blood
transfusion. Patients with very low immunity or patients who receive blood from a close relative are at risk.
Blood for these patients is irradiated before it is transfused to prevent TA-GVHD.
All transfusion reactions receive an in-depth review by health care professionals.

What are the alternatives to transfusion?

Your doctor will only advise you to have a transfusion if it is absolutely necessary and advise you if there are
any alternatives to transfusion.
You may also ask your doctor if there are any alternatives to transfusion that may work for you.

Do you need to give consent before receiving blood?

Yes. Before a transfusion your doctor should talk with you about:
• the reason for the transfusion
• the blood product to be transfused
• the benefits of the transfusion
• the risks of the transfusion
• the consequences of refusing the transfusion
• the expected outcome of the transfusion
• the transfusion process
You should have had an opportunity to ask questions and time to make your decision. If you decide to go
ahead with the transfusion, you will be asked to sign a consent form.
If you decide to refuse the transfusion, you will be asked to sign a “Refusal to Consent” form.

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What happens when you need a transfusion?
Before you are given a transfusion a blood sample is taken. This sample is tested to find out your blood type
and match it to donor blood. The donor blood is then labeled with your name and blood type.

The transfusion is usually given through a small tube in the arm and lasts about 1 to 4 hours. You will be
closely monitored during and after the transfusion.

To make sure that you are given the right blood you will be asked to state your full name and date of birth
before the blood sample is taken and before the transfusion. Two nurses will carefully check that the details
on the blood pack match the details on your identity band/card before they start the transfusion.

How will I know if I have received a blood transfusion?

You will be given a “Notification Tag” if you receive a blood transfusion. Do not worry if you lose this tag as
there is a permanent record of all transfusions in BC.

Where can you get more information?

Please talk to your doctor if you want more information or have questions.

The following websites have more information about blood and blood transfusion. If you need help to find
information on line please ask for help at the Family Support and Resource Centre.

Canadian Blood Services: http://www.blood.ca

Transfusion Ontario website has a more detailed patient information booklet on blood called “Blood
Transfusion - A Patient’s Perspective” this can be found at this website:

http://transfusionontario.org/en/cmdownloads/categories/patient_booklet/

Health Link BC has information on blood transfusions and transfusion reactions: http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/

You can also phone BC Health at 8-1-1 from anywhere in British Columbia any time of the day or night.

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